Well I set up my NPT Saturday the 21st and it took a bit of work. I made a few mistakes which added a few hours on to the process. But they're 1 time mistakes. Anyways, I used the Miracle-Gro Organic Potting Mix as the substrate and the plants are loving it.
First I put the fish in the bucket I bought from the dollar store and removed the gravel from the tank:
Then I sifted out the dirt using a home made sifter (Bucket and Tape):
Then I dirted the tank. But I added the water which made the tank messy so I scrapped the tank and added the dirt, sand and water, then the plants.
This is the plant I used because it was the only one available at the moment at the store (and I wasn't waiting until this Thursday) I ripped it into small pieces and planted it (After a series of problems):
So this is the finished product:
This is what it looks like as of an hour ago:
Some people told me that it wouldn't work, but it sure has. In 4 days I've seen the Cambombas perk up, and the Red Ludwigia had a ton of roots when I bought it. Then, all the roots shriveled up into tiny strings. Now it has grown about 10 new roots
. I also trimmed and replanted some of the big stalks. Some of the Sword shoots have melted and I may be seeing things but it seems as if there's a few new shoots from the swords every day I look. I raised the lighting up to about 2-3WPG which helps as well. But my only problem is that the sand is too thick (1.5-2in) and when I move it, bubbles rise to the top. Also, the sand is being pushed around too much where the filter output is and I have to fix it a few times a day so it doesn't get to the dirt. The Betta seems to be getting aggressive again which is weird so I just gave him a Play-Doh cup to use as a cave in case nervousness is causing the aggressiveness. As you can see in the corner is his Ludwigia and his Play-Doh cup. That corner is his home where he likes to rest and sleep. I'm not sure if the sand bubbles is bad or anything but would like some advice. I also have another question. I saw some energy efficient bulbs at Wal-Mart which are daylight and use 13 Watts to emit 60 Watts. I want to buy these but is the wattage too high? Also, the instructions said to only use the long light bulbs in the hood but these aren't long ones. Will they still be okay? I plan on taking a picture in morning and at night every day and make a video showing how the Sword has grown until it forms a carpet. I never knew a dirted tank would do the plants so much good. I guess what I read is true, plants get about 40x? more nutrients from their roots then leaves. Thanks Diana Walstad for making a great method
.
First I put the fish in the bucket I bought from the dollar store and removed the gravel from the tank:
Then I sifted out the dirt using a home made sifter (Bucket and Tape):
Then I dirted the tank. But I added the water which made the tank messy so I scrapped the tank and added the dirt, sand and water, then the plants.
This is the plant I used because it was the only one available at the moment at the store (and I wasn't waiting until this Thursday) I ripped it into small pieces and planted it (After a series of problems):
So this is the finished product:
This is what it looks like as of an hour ago:
Some people told me that it wouldn't work, but it sure has. In 4 days I've seen the Cambombas perk up, and the Red Ludwigia had a ton of roots when I bought it. Then, all the roots shriveled up into tiny strings. Now it has grown about 10 new roots
